the pentagon did an investigation into those emails. basically cleared him of any wrongdoing. none the less, i'm told tonight from a source close to general allen he didn't really want any of this messy business to coming up in a confirmation hearing before the senate. i'm also told the white house proximate pushed him aside. when i whether or not they pushed him out, they basically pointed me to comments today by defense secretary lay on panetta who did praise general allen but never said he he wanted him to be renominated be the supreme allied commander in europe. then he went on to to say this that basically suggested it was up to general allen whether he was going to step aside. take lafn. >> my recommendation to him was take your time. you know, be with your family. think about what you need to do. i think your country will always find a way to make use of your great services. but you have got to make the decision as to what you want to do in the future. >> now, the president has obviously gotten john kerry confirmed as secretary of state. his cia director potentially joh